(January 12, 2023, Pittston, PA) — Coffee lovers in the greater Pittston area will soon have a new coffee shop in downtown Pittston that will provide a unique employment and customer experience.
Members of the Coffee Inclusive team include, left to right: Frank Bartoli, CEO, NEPA Inclusive; Ellie Bartoli, a client and the inspiration behind NEPA Inclusive; Matt Krispin, administrative assistant, NEPA Inclusive; Julio Caprari, direct support professional and job coach, NEPA Inclusive; Robbie Lynch, client; and Tom Carlucci, training and quality assurance coordinator, NEPA Inclusive, and manager of Coffee Inclusive.
Coffee Inclusive, a subsidiary of the non-profit organization NEPA Inclusive, will employ people with diverse abilities, including intellectual disabilities and Autism, working side by side with experienced baristas and servers to provide a warm and welcoming community coffee shop experience. Coffee Inclusive is located in the former Cooper’s Coop Building, 350 Kennedy Boulevard, Pittston, on the second floor. The space was previously home to Blend Natural. Scheduled to open March 1, the coffee shop will be open Monday through Saturday. Hours of operation will be announced soon.
“Our coffee shop is a place of employment for everyone, including people with diverse abilities. All our team members will be trained and paid a competitive wage as baristas and servers. That’s what makes Coffee Inclusive different; we are not just training people with diverse abilities to do a job, we are hiring them as employees and paying them real wages,” said Frank Bartoli, CEO of NEPA Inclusive.
Coffee Inclusive is now accepting applications for part-time and full-time baristas/managers and servers for the coffee shop.
“We are looking for people with an infectious love of coffee who will provide superior customer service to lead our team and work side by side with individuals with diverse abilities. Being a part of Coffee Inclusive will give employees the opportunity to positively impact the lives of people with Down’s Syndrome and other diverse abilities to learn, grow and thrive in a family-like atmosphere,” said Tom Carlucci, training and quality assurance coordinator, NEPA Inclusive, and manager of Coffee Inclusive.
People interested in applying for employment at Coffee Inclusive can apply through the NEPA Inclusive website, nepainclusive.org or through Indeed.com. For more information, contact Tom Carlucci via email, [email protected].
Coffee Inclusive will offer a full line of high quality cold and hot coffees, lattes, espressos, mochas and cappuccinos along with a selection of locally sourced teas and the finest baked goods. In addition, Coffee Inclusive will also serve healthy fruit smoothies and acai bowls. Patrons can place their orders to go or enjoy their food and beverages at one of the many casual seating areas in and around the coffee shop.
“Our goal is for Coffee Inclusive to become a central gathering place for the community. It fits in well with Mayor Lombardo’s vision for Pittston to be a vibrant, inclusive community. We want local business professionals to come over and grab a cup of coffee and have a meeting here. We want parents to stop by for a relaxing, quiet break during a busy day, and for area students to use this as a place to study,” said Bartoli.
The Coffee Inclusive, website, www.coffeeinclusive.org, is currently in development and will be launched soon. The website will feature the shop’s menu, merchandise such as shirts and mugs, and information about special events.
NEPA Inclusive, founded in 2013 with headquarters in Pittston, is a 501c3 charitable organization. NEPA Inclusive operates in Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill and Wyoming counties. It operates a series of services through the PA Office of Developmental Programs IDD waiver system and PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation employment services, in addition to Rental Assistance and SMART technology initiatives. NEPA Inclusive’s unique person-centered approach to inclusion provides people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and Autism the most inclusive life, including working in local businesses, living with their families, and living in their own apartments.
For more information on the services offered by NEPA Inclusive, visit their website, nepainclusive.org.
